Slot Machine Questions
Today, the mathematics of slot machines. The University of Houston mathematics department presents this program about the machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose ingenuity created them.
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Mathematicians first got interested in randomness by studying games of chance. Ever since, the histories of mathematics and gambling have been intertwined. Clever gamblers use mathematics to look for the smallest advantages, and casinos use sophisticated mathematical tools to devise new ways of drawing in players.
Indeed, a patent granted to the Norwegian mathematician Inge Telnaes in 1984 transformed the gambling industry. Prior to Telnaes’ invention, slot machines were essentially mechanical devices. Besides being difficult to tune and maintain, mechanical slot machines suffered from an essential problem: Let’s look at a machine with three reels, each with 12 symbols, with one of those 12 symbols a cherry. The likelihood of getting three cherries, and winning the jackpot, is 1 in 1,728. If the casino wants to make money, the jackpot payout should be, say $1,700 on a $1 bet. That does not seem attractive by today’s standards. However, the only way to increase the payout is to decrease the chances of hitting a jackpot.
- This set of questions discusses who invented the first gaming machine, which company first invented electronic slots, and what the largest online progressive slot jackpot was. We also tackle a couple of slots misconceptions, including schemes to beat the casinos with progressive betting systems and the myth of slots that are “due” to hit.
- Some Questions About Slot Machines 24 November 2020 By Frank Scoblete. QUESTION: I have been told that slots are run by a random number generator but I have no idea.
- Slot machines don’t give player the opportunity to make multiple bets in combinations like craps or roulette, or to take advantage of ever-shifting odds as card counters do in blackjack. Nevertheless, slot machines players have tried systems play for generations. Ultimately, however, slot machine odds are unchanging, the same on every spin.
Adding another reel is a possibility. For instance adding a fourth reel in the previous example would get us to a jackpot of about $20,000. But people do not like machines with more reels — they intuitively, and rightfully, feel that extra reels diminish their chance of winning. Another possibility is to put more symbols on each reel. But the astronomical jackpots you see in casinos today would then require truly enormous machines.
Slot Machine Question - Is a slot machine less likely to hit a jackpot if it has recently had someone win the jackpot? A slot machine can theoreticaly hit a jackpot back to back. Just because a slot machine has just payed out a good sized jackpot out does not mean it is less likely to pay out again. This is always the million-dollar (or even thousand penny) question with slot machines, isn’t it? The answer is that there is no way to tell when a jackpot is coming, or when there’s about to be a hot streak, or when the bonus round is on its way.
Inge Telnaes proposed a simple solution: Let a random number generator — a computer chip — determine the combination of symbols that appear when the reels stop. In other words, use a chip to control where the reels stop on a spin, but create the illusion that the wheels stopped on their own. The number of possible outcomes on the slot machine does not change. However, by reprogramming the chip, the operator has full control over the likelihood of each of the different outcomes. For instance, the operator could make the three cherries appear only once in a million spins.
This was a brilliant insight: Suppose I pick a number between one and a million. Would you be willing to bet that you can guess that number? The answer is probably not. But let a computer chip pick such a number, put the chip in a machine with blinking lights and spinning reels, and many people will be more than willing to make the bet. It is simply because what people assume is happening in a slot machine is very different from what is actually happening.
The Magician oil painting by Hieronymus Boschfrom between 1475 and 1480
The history of gambling is also intertwined with that of a less reputable group — tricksters and swindlers. In the long run, the only sure way to make money by gambling is to create the illusion that your opponent can win, while keeping the odds firmly on your side. And that gives those who know math a very solid advantage.
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I'm Krešimir Josić, at the University of Houston, where we're interested in the way inventive minds work.
NOTE: In the example with three cherries, I assumed that one only wins in the case the spin results in three cherries, and there is no other winning combination. In actuality, there are typically many winning combination, and as a result, the jackpot would have to be even smaller.
The following story in Wired Magazine shows the drawbacks of the new generation of slot machines — they are easier to hack and to counterfit than their mechanical counterpart http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/07/ff_scammingslots/.
Here is a more exhaustive discussion of the history of slot machines, and the random number generators within them http://catlin.casinocitytimes.com/article/non-random-randomness-part-1-1243. You may want to scroll towards the end of the article to read about how flaws in the design of gambling machine resulted in somebody picking 19 out of 20 winning numbers in a game of KENO — and doing so 3 times in a row. That person walked away with $620,000, but only after some controversy.
Both images are from Wikipedia. The slot machine image was taken by Jeff Kubina.
For more mathematics in everyday life, visitkjosic.wordpress.com.
This episode was first aired on September 7th, 2011
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Slot machines seem pretty simple to the average joe, but they are pretty sophisticated machines when you really get down to how they work. Most people think slot machines are rigged or that they follow some type of pattern for the payouts. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Below you will find a list of questions that readers email to us regarding playing slot machines. If you should have a question that you would like answered send it to slotsgeek at gmail dot com.
Answers to Common Questions about Slot Machines
How are slot machines different from the lottery?
Is a slot machine less likely to hit a jackpot if it has recently had someone win the jackpot?
Does pulling the handle give me a better chance at winning than pushing the button?
Are online slots rigged?
Which is better online slots or real slots?
How many coins should I play on each spin?
Should I play progressive slots?
Will I ever win a jackpot?
Is a slot machine ever due for a payout?
Does using a slot club or rewards card decrease my chances of winning?
Can I determine the odds of a machine by counting the number of symbols on the reel?
Do slot machines have a pattern or sequence they follow which can be figured out by intensely analyzing the outcomes?
When you hit a bonus in a slot machine is the outcome already determined?
What slot machines have the best odds?
Slots Machine Question - How are slot machines different from the lottery?
Slot machines are very similar to the lottery, and by definition are a lottery. You are winning cash prizes by way of chance. That said your odds of winning the United States Powerball which is the biggest lottery jackpot in the US - 1:80,089,128. Your odds at winning the MegaBucks jackpot, which is the biggest progressive slot in the US casinos - 1 in 49,836,032 (the megabucks odds comes from this site here which I encourage you to visit). Odds of state lotteries is significantly smaller than the 1:49+ million however the difference between the two is the payouts. If I had to choose which game to play, hands down it'd be a slot machine.
Slot Machine Question - Is a slot machine less likely to hit a jackpot if it has recently had someone win the jackpot?
A slot machine can theoreticaly hit a jackpot back to back. Just because a slot machine has just payed out a good sized jackpot out does not mean it is less likely to pay out again.
Slots Question - Does pulling the handle give me a better chance at winning than pushing the button?
Not at all. Whether you pull the handle or press the button makes no difference in the outcome of the spin. Both trigger the same action in the machine and the computer does not know the difference between the handle and the button.
Slot Machine Question - Are online slots rigged?
No. There have been reports of rogue casinos with custom software that isn't audited, but these are easy to spot. When in doubt play somewhere else. We recommend you play at one of our approved online casinos. Playing at casinos powered by reputable software and by doing your homework FIRST before depositing is the best way to ensure your safety. Read reviews from credible websites.
Slot Machine Question - Which is better online slots or real slots?
This is really a matter of personal preference. Do you like the hype of the casino or the nice quiet atmosphere your home provides? The payback percentages of online slots are usually slightly higher than live slots because online casinos have less overhead than brick and mortar casinos. Online casinos can afford to payout more since they do not have to pay hundreds of dealers, pitbosses, security, etc.
Slot Machine Question - How many coins should I play on each spin?
Depending on the type of slot you are playing you should be able to play however many coins you like. If you play progressive slots you should always play the max bet to qualify yourself for the huge jackpot. If you prefer to play one coin per spin then you should always go for a true multiplier machine so you won't be penalized for playing single coins.
Slot Machine Question - Should I play progressive slots?
If you don't mind risking your entire bankroll going for that big jackpot then play progressive slots, but don't get mad when you end up broke. The odds of winning that huge jackpot are slim but not impossible. Progressive slots suit players that have an all or nothing attitude when it comes to playing slots. If you want to hang on to your money a bit longer, stick to the single line three reel slots.
Slot Machine Question - Will I ever win a jackpot? How come I always lose on slots?
Yes and No. Don't expect to win one just because you play often. The best attitude to have is to not even think about winning the jackpot. Expect small payouts, but don't expect it. If your searching to find out why you lose at slots its a matter of luck. There's no way to predict a win or know your going to have a good session. If losing at slots upsets you or your just down right frustrated, its possible you should try a different game with better odds and where you have some control, like blackjack.
Slot Machine Question -Is a slot machine ever due for a payout?
Slot Machine Questions
No. Slot machines are run by random number generators and each spin is totally random. Just because the slot machine has not had a large payout in months does not mean it is due for a pay out.
Slot Machine Question - Does using a slot club or rewards card decrease my chances of winning?
Not at all. These are just to track your play so the casino can reward you with comps to make you enjoy your stay and return in the future.
Slot Machine Question - Can I determine the odds of a machine by counting the number of symbols on the reel?
No. Just because there are 10 stops on the actual reel does not mean there are 10 virtual stops. There can be up to 300 virtual stops on each reel. Read more about how slot machines work in our win at slots article.
Slot Machine Question - Do slot machines have a pattern or sequence they follow which can be figured out by intensely analyzing the outcomes?
No. The slots use a RNG to determine the outcomes. This means that each of the machines combinations is determined randomly, and the machine will stick to its payback percentage over the long haul.
Slot Machine Question - When you hit a bonus in a slot machine is the outcome already determined?
Yes.